Rain resistant system

Abstract

A motor vehicle includes a precipitation sensor detecting weather-related precipitation. An actuator moves a movable overhead covering between a covered position and an uncovered position. An electronic processor is communicatively coupled to the precipitation sensor and to the actuator. The electronic processor responds to the precipitation sensor detecting weather-related precipitation by automatically causing the actuator to move the movable overhead covering from the uncovered position to the covered position.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of operating a movable overhead covering of a motor vehicle, the method comprising:
 detecting weather-related precipitation; and 
 in response to the detecting of the weather-related precipitation, automatically moving the moveable overhead covering from an uncovered position to a covered position, wherein the detecting step is performed intermittently and repeatedly, with waiting time periods between performances of the detecting steps. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the movable overhead covering comprises a convertible roof. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein the detecting is performed by a rain sensor. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein the detecting is performed while driver-controllable electronic accessories of the vehicle are disabled. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  wherein the detecting is performed without any human being in the motor vehicle. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  wherein the moving of the movable overhead covering is performed while driver-controllable electronic accessories of the vehicle are disabled. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  wherein the moving of the movable overhead covering is performed without any human being in the motor vehicle.